Clerodendrum plant named ‘Morningstar’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Clerodendrum  plant named ‘Morningstar’, characterized by its compact, upright and outwardly spreading plant growth habit; dark green and lighter green variegated leaves; relatively small ruffled leaves; freely flowering habit; and purple and white-colored flowers.

Botanical classification/cultivar designation: Clerodendrumquadriloculare cultivar Morningstar.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofClerodendrum plant, botanically known as Clerodendrum quadriloculare,and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Morningstar’.

The new Clerodendrum is a naturally-occurring branch mutation of anunnamed selection of Clerodendrum quadriloculare, not patented. The newClerodendrum was discovered by the Inventor in a controlled environmentin Delray Beach, Fla., within a population of plants of the unidentifiedselection in the spring of 2001. The new Clerodendrum was selected onthe basis of its compact plant habit and ruffled leaves.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by vegetative cuttings in acontrolled environment in Delray Beach, Fla. since 2001, has shown thatthe unique features of this new Clerodendrum are stable and reproducedtrue to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the cultivar Morningstar have not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature and light intensitywithout, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Morningstar’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Morningstar’ as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Compact, upright and outwardly spreading plant growth habit.    -   2. Dark green and lighter green variegated leaves.    -   3. Relatively small ruffled leaves.    -   4. Freely flowering habit.    -   5. Purple and white-colored flowers.

Plants of the new Clerodendrum are most similar to plants of the parentselection. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Delray Beach, Fla.,plants of the new Clerodendrum differed from plants of the parentselection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Clerodendrum were more compact and less        vigorous than plants of the parent selection.    -   2. Plants of the new Clerodendrum had variegated leaves whereas        plants of the parent selection had solid green-colored leaves.    -   3. Plants of the new Clerodendron had ruffled leaves whereas        plants of the parent selection had flat leaves.    -   4. Plants of the new Clerodendrum were more freely flowering        than plants of the parent selection.

Plants of the new Clerodendrum can be compared to plants of theClerodendrum cultivar Brandonii, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No.12,140. Plants of the new Clerodendrum are more compact than plants ofthe cultivar Brandonii. In addition, plants of the new Clerodendron andthe cultivar Brandonii differ in leaf variegation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Clerodendrum.

The photograph on the first sheet comprises a side perspective view oftypical plants of ‘Morningstar’ (left) and the parent selection (right).

The photograph on the second sheet is a close-up view of typical flowersof ‘Morningstar’.

The photograph on the third sheet is a close-up view of typical leavesof ‘Morningstar’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 1995 Edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Plants used in theaforementioned photographs and for the following description were grownin 25-cm containers for about two years in a polypropylene-coveredshadehouse and under condition which closely approximate commercialproduction conditions in Delray Beach, Fla. During the production of theplants, day temperatures ranged from 23 to 29° C. and night temperaturesranged from 12 to 18° C. Plants were pinched in the late summer and thephotographs and description were taken during the following late winterand early spring.

-   Botanical classification: Clerodendrum quadriloculare cultivar    Morningstar.-   Parentage: Naturally-occurring branch mutation of an unnamed    selection of Clerodendrum quadriloculare, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Vegetative cuttings.        -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—About five to six weeks.        -   Root description.—Fibrous; tan, 159C, in color.-   Plant description:    -   -   Form.—Perennial subshrub; compact, upright and outwardly            spreading plant growth habit; rounded plant form. New leaves            marked with variable areas of pale green, angular            variegation. Mature leaves dark green with variable areas of            lighter green variegation. Leaves become twisted and            undulate with maturity, giving the foliage a dense ruffled            appearance.        -   Plant height.—About 75 cm; at maturity, about 2 meters.        -   Plant diameter.—About 80 cm; at maturity, about 2 meters.        -   Vigor.—Moderately vigorous.        -   Stem description.—Shape. Quadrangular. Diameter: About 7 cm.            Internode length: About 7 to 12 cm. Branching habit:            Opposite; freely branching. Color: Young stems, darker than,            but closest to 187A with occasional streaks of 187B and            small raised areas of 199C. Mature stems, 199C, with areas            of 147A. Leaf scars, 199B, often tinged with 147B.        -   Foliage description.—Appearance: Undulate and often twisted.            Dark green in color with variably marked lighter green            variegation. Variegation most apparent on immature and newly            expanded leaves, becoming somewhat less distinct as leaves            mature. Arrangement: Opposite, simple. Length: Larges:            leaves, about 17 to 21 cm; average size leaves, about 11 to            15 cm. Width: Largest leaves, about 7 to 8 cm; average size            leaves, about 6 to 7 cm. Thickness: About 0.8 mm. Aspect:            Petiole tilted about 30 to 45° from vertical. Leaves arch            outwardly. Leaves variably curved and twisted, ruffled in            appearance. Leaf apex often curled or curved downward.            Shape: Ovate to somewhat lanceolate. Apex: Acute to            acuminate. Base: Attenuate. Margin: Entire; undulate.            Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Glabrous; rugose.            Venation pattern: Pinnate. Color: Developing foliage, upper            surface: Much darker than but closest to 147A; areas of            variegation, 147B; midrib, 147A, tinged with 187A; primary            veins, 147A. Developing foliage, lower surface: 187A;            midrib, 187A; primary veins, 187A. Fully expanded foliage,            upper surface: Darker than but closest to 147A; areas of            variegation, 147A to 147B; midrib, 187A to 187A, tinged with            147A; primary veins, 147A. Fully expanded foliage, lower            surface: 187A; midrib, 187A; primary veins, 187A. Petiole:            Length: About 4 to 6.5 cm. Diameter: About 4 mm. Texture,            upper and lower surfaces: Glabrous. Color, upper and lower            surfaces: 187A to 187B.-   Flower description:    -   -   Flower type and habit.—Flowers single, gamopetalous,            salverform; limb with four reflexed lobes. Flowers arranged            on compound terminal cymes; cymes globose in shape. Flowers            face upright and outwardly. Flowers not persistent.        -   Natural flowering season.—Flowering continuous from January            to March in Delray Beach, Fla.        -   Quantity.—Freely flowering with about 40 to 75 flowers per            inflorescence.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Flower longevity on the plant.—Individual flowers remain            open for about three days before fading. Inflorescences            continue to flower for about four weeks.        -   Inflorescence diameter.—About 15 to 20 cm.        -   Flower bud color.—Tube, 78A to 78B; reverse of limb, 78A            with 155D.        -   Flower diameter.—About 2 cm.        -   Lobe diameter.—About 5 mm.        -   Tube length.—About 9.9 cm.        -   Tube diameter.—About 2 mm.        -   Limb color, upper surface.—155D.        -   Limb color, lower surface.—155D; towards the apex, 78A to            78B; streaks, 78A to 78B.        -   Sepals.—Quantity/arrangement: Five sepals fused at base;            inconspicuous. Length: About 4 mm. Diameter: About 1.5 mm.            Shape: Triangular. Apex: Acute. Margin: Entire. Texture,            upper and lower surfaces: Glabrous. Color, upper and lower            surfaces: 187A tinged with 147A.        -   Reproductive structures.—Androecium: Quantity: Four stamens            per flower. Filament length: About 1.8 cm. Filament            diameter: About 0.5 mm. Filament color: 155D. Anther length:            About 3 mm. Anther diameter: About 1 mm. Anther color: 200A.            Pollen color: 10D. Gynoecium: Quantity: One per flower.            Style length: About 11.4 cm. Style diameter: About 0.4 mm.            Style color: 155A. Stigma shape: Bifurcate; reflexed. Stigma            size: Each lobe about 1 mm in length, about 0.5 mm in            diameter. Stigma color: 183C. Ovary diameter: About 2 mm.            Ovary color: 146A.        -   Seeds/fruits.—Seed and fruit development has not been            observed.-   Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens or pests common to    Clerodendrum has not been observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Clerodendrum have been    observed to be tolerant to temperatures from about −7 to 35° C.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Clerodendrum plant named‘Morningstar’, as illustrated and described.